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Creating tomorrows parks today

Despite some rain showers and even a scattering of hail during the afternoon, Art for Park’s Sake was well attended.

The face painters were kept very busy and on her arrival The Worshipful the Mayor of Harrow, Councillor Kareema Marikar couldn’t resist having some flowers painted to adorn her face too.

The pebble painting stall proved to be exceptionally popular and some novelty ideas ranging from Minions, a penguin, a ladybird and lots of different faces and designs emerged. Many wishes were added to the newly created wishing tree, with some reflecting the hopes for the person’s favoured football team and others with ideas more in line with world peace!

There was several raffle prizes won, that were kindly donated by local businesses, Councillor Maxine Henson was one of the many lucky winners seen collecting their prizes.

Artists from Harrow Art Society displayed their works of all types, including collages, portraits, landscapes, silk scarves and painted tiles. One of the delights for members of the community was to help complete four canvases that had been set up by the artists, including our own Local Councillor Stephen Greek. This resulted in self-portraits being added to the park scene, a tiger, leopard and monkey emerging in the jungle scene and some deft strokes completing the Picasso. These truly unique paintings will be displayed in the new café in the park, once it is opened, and prints on canvas will be made available for purchase.

Councillor Graham Henson also attended the event and pitched in to help with drawing the raffle and presentation of the prizes.

Adding to the enjoyment, along with the great cakes and refreshments on sale, were the guitar and vocal duo Mollie and Rob, rappers Jamaar and Alpha from 100% Producers and DJ, Donald Bunting, who kept the fun in the park moving along.

Our thanks go to Cheryl and her team of artists, who worked hard to keep up with the demand for painting pebbles, plates, artwork, faces and much more; to those who provided the music; the drone operator who captured some great photographs, now on the website; to our volunteers who worked hard in setting up and dismantling all of the equipment needed for the event, donating prizes and goods, manning stalls and keeping everything working. Last, but most definitely not least, we thank the local people who came along to enjoy the afternoon and who are the reason we do what we do.For the benefit of the local community, it is now planned that, on a trial basis, the two gates leading out of the park on to the High Road will be locked overnight from 1st June. The gate leading out to Boxtree Road/Lane will remain open. It is hoped that this will reduce the antisocial behaviour that occurs overnight, particularly in the summer time, with cans, broken glass, food and rubbish being discarded in the High Road area of the park.

You may have noticed that Waitrose have dedicated a collection box to The Friends in their local store. You can support us by adding your green tokens to the box each time you shop. If you are not given the tokens automatically, when purchasing items, or if you go through the self checkout system, staff will be happy to provide the tokens on request. Your support will help us to fund our future projects and to create a better park experience for us all. Thank you.

PLANNED PROJECT – CAN YOU HELP?

Due to the Friends’ interest in our local area and the history of how it has developed, we plan to hold an exhibition about Harrow Weald, later this year. We have already had a number of history books and photographs donated and loaned to us. If you have any stories, articles or photographs that you would like to share in the exhibition, we would love to hear from you. We will be happy to collect suitable items from you. For this project we need to find volunteers who will be able to collate and scan photographs and articles and to record the information that we receive. If you can help us with either of these requests, please email us, or call: 07749 155711

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Sunday 19th May: Breakfast Not in Bed at 10.00am. Meet at the Friends’ hut by the entrance gate to the bowling green. Once again, a chance to meet with the Friends for a session of litter picking, tidying up the copse and general tidying up in the park. All volunteers taking part are welcome to enjoy a light breakfast and have a chance to chat together, as we relax once the work is done.

Friday 31st May: Bug Hunt 10.30am to midday Back by popular demand, this is another opportunity for children and adults to hunt along with Simon Braidman and discover the bugs that live in our park, while learning more about them and their habitat.This month on Tuesday 21st May & Thursday 30th May at 8.00pm, the Harrow Weald Bowling Club welcome you to watch a match at the club ground in the park, and to learn more about the game.

Upcoming events in June include a dog show and quiz night, so it’s now time to start putting both your canine and human friends through their paces! We look forward to seeing you at the events.

Sunday 16th June midday: The Harrow Weald Dog Show. This is a fun dog show, back by popular demand. All entrants are charged at £1 in each category. There will be fun categories like the dog with the waggiest tail, as well as more serious show dog categories. There are rosettes to be won and a special prize to celebrate Fathers’ Day.

Monday 10th June at 7.00pm: Our monthly Friends’ meeting will take place.

Come along to share your opinions, ideas, or just to catch up. All welcome.